About 40 homes had to be evacuated in Vars, just southeast of Ottawa, on Saturday night after a fire caused a natural gas leak.

Ottawa fire officials say they received a 911 call about a fire at 1861 Division St. at about 5:18 p.m. Saturday.

When firefighters arrived, they found flames at the front of the detached two-storey home. Nobody was home at the time, officials said.

The fire was elevated to a second alarm as more firefighters were called in to tackle the blaze. Officials said they were forced to fight the fire from the outside and tried to protect other homes from catching fire, as well.

Approx 40 homes remain evacuated in area of Division St fire due to natural gas leak at scene. #ottnews